Experience the best of Vietnam on this immersive 11-day journey from north to south. Explore the cultural charms of Hanoi, cruise through the breathtaking Halong Bay, uncover imperial treasures in Hue, and enjoy the quaint beauty of Hoi An. Conclude your adventure with the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City and a scenic trip to the Mekong Delta.
Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of unified Vietnam. The city was founded in 1010 on the right bank of the Red River and was then known as ‘Thang Long’, roughly translated as "Soaring Dragon." Hanoi is one of the most charming cities in South East Asia with its authentic street scenes, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens and well-preserved architecture. Transfer from Noi Bai airport to your hotel. Free time at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Your family will have the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city. First visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work and also the museum dedicated to his memory. We continue visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Nowadays, students come and pray for a good luck in their exam.
In the afternoon, take a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake to learn about legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by the Water Puppet show - a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.
In the evening, experience a unique opportunity to join a local middle class family in Hanoi for dinner. You will know how the local people live, their custom and their daily activities. The hosts are very open minded. During the dinner, you can exchange stories about life, custom, kid education and also learn some secret to cook the local food. The dinner is about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Local guide on board
After breakfast, depart for a transfer to Ha Long Bay – UNESCO World Natural Heritage – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rising from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin.
Arrival Halong city at noon, the crew will greet you abroad the traditional style junk with a refreshing welcome drink and then our cruise begins! As navigating the way through the emerald waters and limestone islands, you are served a delicious lunch of fresh seafood (vegetarians are also catered for). As cruising through the bay, you can marvel at the amazing karst scenery with different formations. Halong Bay is littered with hidden caves and grottoes and you’ll take some time to explore one of these. For those feeling active, you then can explore the bay by sea kayak. After your first evening’s dinner, night fishing is available from the boat.
Overnight abroad in the bay.
Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather condition, government regulations and based on your choice of cruise.
Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Halong Bay’s landscape. Continue cruising to explore more of the bay and enjoy the brunch breakfast before returning to the Jetty at noon time. Back in the harbor ca. at 11:00 and drive back to airport in Hanoi. Take 1-hour flight to Hue city.
On arrival, meet and transfer from airport to hotel with private driver.
Overnight in Hue city.
In the morning, our guide and driver meet you at hotel and transfer to the boat landing for a leisure boat trip along the Perfume River to visit the towering Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous landmarks of Hue. Continue driving to the tomb of Tu Duc, the ‘poet Emperor’, set in an elegant garden with a magnificent lake and pavilion complex.
Lunch is served with Hue specialties. Afternoon is the visit to the Imperial Citadel where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, and the Forbidden Purple City.
Overnight in Hue.
Have free morning at leisure.
In the afternoon, depart Hue for Hoi An along Highway 1 which links Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city. This drive is reputedly the most beautiful in all Vietnam, taking you past coastal fishing settlements, most notably Lang Co with its stunning lagoon backdrop. The drive also takes you over Hai Van Pass, or ‘pass of the ocean cloud’. Continue on to the delightful town of Hoi An, which stands on the banks of the Thu Bon river. Free evening soaking up the city night life at your own space.
Overnight in Hoi An.
After breakfast, you will be collected at your hotel lobby and ride bicycles to Tra Que Village. Visit the vegetable village and see the daily activities of the local farmers there. Continue riding bicycle along De Vong River to Hoi An Beach dock. Take a boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fishermen. Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduce to the history there. Take on the basket boat (02 pax/ boat) and row along the water coconut river. You will learn how to catch the crabs (for fun). Embark on the motorboat again; enjoy the folk songs show by local people there. Have lunch at local restaurant. Then visit a craftsman’s house in the village. Return your hotel in early afternoon. Rest of day is your leisure time.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Have free morning at leisure.
Transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh city. On arrival, meet and transfer airport to hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Head out to Cu Chi tunnels, through urbanized areas and a typically lush southern Vietnamese countryside. Discover a vast network of underground passageways built and used by the Viet Cong to evade detection as they moved troops and supplies throughout Ho Chi Minh City’s northern districts.
In the afternoon, begin exploring the sights of the city. Explore Saigon from Cho Lon District which is also known as “China Town” Visit the Chinese pagoda of Thien Hau, and Binh Tay Market. Continue to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. Next is the Notre Dame Cathedral; Central Post Office and the last stop at the bustling Ben Thanh Market for shopping.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
After breakfast, leave behind the hustle and bustle of Saigon to delve into the Mekong Delta, a patchwork of emerald greens and the rice bowl of southern Vietnam. After 2hours drive, arrive in Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, hop on a private motorize and we cruise through the waterways and cannel of the Mekong delta to visit fruits orchards and learn about the local cottage industries like brick kiln-making, coconut processing, sleeping mats. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, passing by green rice fiends and vegetable plains. Lunch is served in local restaurant.
After lunch, experience a rowing-boat ride along beautiful water palm creek before continuing by the motorized boat back to the pier. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Enjoy the last moment to visit/shop in city centre. Then driver transfers you back to airport for your onward flight.
We wish you a safe flight home!
Hotel rooms with daily breakfasts as mentioned or similar
Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle, unless when other vehicles are mentioned
Entrance fees and other boat fees where applicable
Meals as listed in the program (B= Breakfast; L= Lunch & D = Dinner); pre-arranged at local restaurants based on local food with set menus
Local English-speaking guides on day with tours
Government taxes & service charges
Internal airfares in the tour as mentioned
Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned
Surcharge for special requests on food and meals
Entrance fees, car, and guide service during free time
Travel insurance
All kind of gratuities for guides, drivers, and others
Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
Internal airfares not mentioned in the tour
International airfare from/to your point of arrival/departure
Personal expenses such as bar, telephone. laundry bills,...
All other services not stated in the program
Surcharge for peak season
1. Tourist Visa
Please make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity from the entry date. Also please check whether you need an entry visa to Asian countries before starting your trip. Please consult with our travel consultant if you are not sure.
2. Notes on Airfares
All airfares are subject to change until final purchase.
Eco-flex class: allow to re-book (change date, change flight) without fee, but subject to availability. Passenger(s) pay surcharge between classes (if any)
Refund fee: 15% of airfare plus service charge.
Airport tax included
Child under 2 yrs: 10% of adult airfare; Child from 2 to 11 yrs: 75% of adult airfare
3. Land Transportation
Our price based on the group arrives at one time (on one flight). In case clients arrive at different flight times, and need different airport transfers, the extra transfer will be charged. We apply the same for the departure date.
4. Travel Insurance
Our price of the tour does not include travel insurance. We highly recommend you purchase health/travel insurance for your trip to Asia.
5. Responsibility
Except in situations beyond human control, VietnamStay will be held responsible for any additional expense resulting from the change caused by us in itinerary, transportation, and accommodation.
However, VietnamStay cannot be held responsible for denied boarding, nor for additional costs incurred due to the situations beyond human control.
The detailed program and schedule of flights are subject to changes by the airline without prior notice and in accordance with the weather conditions and daily operation of flights. Consequently, itinerary concerns might be adjusted. If this occurs, VietnamStay will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements.
6. Vaccine
It is not compulsory to get any vaccine to visit our countries. But we encourage you to have popular vaccines such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio…. You may consult your doctor before traveling.
1. How to Book and Confirm Your Tour:
No service secured at our proposal, services in destination (hotel, boat, flight, guide etc) are subject to availability.
Please send a booking order to VietnamStay as soon as you agree on our proposal to secure your trip arrangement. Similar alternative service to be suggested when your choice is unavailable at the time of booking.
2. Passport and Flight Details
Full passport information is required in your booking order for flight reservation & hotel check-in
International flight details of arrival & departure are required for airport transfer arrangements
3. Deposit and Payment
At least 30% deposit of the total tour cost to be deposited upon commitment of the tour.
The outstanding amount to be paid prior to arrival date or at our offices in Viet Nam on your arrival day.
4. Cancellation, Amendment Policy, and Charges
In practice, VietnamStay always does the best to minimize the cancellation penalty for our guests but we must abide by the cancellation policy of each service provider.
Low season 01 May – 30 Sep | High season 01 Oct – 30 Apr | |
More than 20 days prior to the guest’s arrival day | No charge | No charge |
From 16 to 20 days | 10% | 20% |
From 8 to 15 days | 30% | 50% |
From 03 to 07 days | 50% | 75% |
Within 02 days or no show | 100% | 100% |
Please be advised that during Peak Season (Christmas and New Year) and during Public Holidays different cancellation policies may apply. The cancellation policy for such a period will be informed to the client(s) case by case.
5. Children Policy (Land Services Only)
Accompanied child from 1- 4 yrs: Free of charge if sharing existing bed with parents
Accompanied child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
Accompanied child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
Accompanied child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
Accompanied child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate
In case a child under 12 yrs using a twin share room with an adult, please pay full fare.
With VietnamStay, each tour is different according to the customers wishes. Please share with us your travel need and we will customize it for you.
Fill out our personalized travel form to receive a FREE quote!
Once you receive the personalized quote, you can alter it with us to better meet your requirements.
Send booking order to us as soon as you agree on our proposal to secure your trip arrangement.
After confirmation, VietnamStay will begin arranging the finest services for you.
It’s time to pack your suitcases and embark on an adventure to explore new horizons. Wishing you a safe journey!
